ARGOLIS, Argos(?). Circa 370-350 BC. AR Hemidrachm (14.5mm, 2.54 g, 5h). Good Fine.

Electronic Auction 583
Lot: 125. Estimated: $ 100

Greek, Silver

Sold For $ 100. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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ARGOLIS, Argos(?). Circa 370-350 BC. AR Hemidrachm (14.5mm, 2.54 g, 5h). Head of Hera right, wearing ornamented stephane / Wolf left. CNG 81, lot 2424; Naville Numismatics 1, lot 52 = NAC 64, lot 2226 = New York Sale XVII, lot 64; Gorny & Mosch 212, lot 1639; Pecunem 38, lot 180; otherwise, unpublished. Roughness, scratches and marks. Good Fine. Very rare.

The attribution here to Argos rests on the similarity of its obverse type to the contemporary “temple-key” tritetartemorions (see BCD Peloponnesos 1069), as well as later bronze issues (see CNG 81, lots 2443 and 2464ff). We have also interpreted the reverse type as a wolf, which is the common symbol on coins of Argos. This attribution, however, is not without controversy. Alan Walker suggests an attribution to Argos Amphilokion in Akarnania, where the head of Hera is also similarly depicted on certain silver issues. Moreover, he views the reverse type to be a dog, and has a style more in line with the dog reverse types common at that city. BCD, however, is unconvinced of either attribution, and suggests that this issue may be from a mint in western Asia Minor. Recently, two examples appeared with an inscription, XOP, on the reverse, below the creature. Such a name is unknown for a mint, and there are no known occurrences of such a magistrate in either Akarnania or anywhere in the Peloponnesos.

Closing Date and Time: 19 March 2025 at 10:41:20 ET.

All winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer’s fee.